- 1). Google yourself. Find out what information concerning your identity exists online and in the public domain. Because large social networks, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, show up higher in Google searches, the information on these networks will predominate. Future employers can access personal pictures that you post on Facebook if you have not used Facebook's privacy controls. This information may misrepresent you. Do not mix your personal and professional identities online.
- 2). Create your own website and actively manage your online identity. Determine the purpose of your website. If you are seeking a new job, the website should reflect that intention. Go beyond a bullet-pointed resume and present positive information about yourself that will enhance your job prospects. Provide the context for how you want people to view you.
- 3). Protect your online identity. Be careful about sharing personal information online to shield yourself from identity theft. Do not give out your social security or bank account numbers to dubious websites. Use the privacy controls on photo-sharing sites and social networks, so that you control who can access your information and pictures. Assume that anyone can read what you have written online, so monitor your language and content before posting anything. If you discover negative or humiliating information about yourself online, contact the administrator or owner of the website and ask them to delete it.
- 4). Contact an online identity management service, such as ReputationDefender.com or MyOnlineRep.com, that will use tools to ensure your positive links are placed higher in Google search results. For comprehensive management of your identity, MyOnlineRep.com focuses on Google and Yahoo and floods these search engines with your customized websites, online profiles and sponsored advertisements. However, their packages are expensive. ReputationDefender.com will make your personal information invisible for as low as $5.00 per month. It will manipulate Google results to enhance your reputation for about $100 per year as of 2010.
- 5). Sign up for Google Alerts. This free service scours the vast terrain of Google's properties, such as news, video, blogs, groups and web, and emails you when new information has been posted about you. Configure these alerts to arrive in your inbox either daily or weekly. Since the web is constantly changing, this service allows you to stay up to date on your online profile.
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